Halo 3 Legendary Edition is now $130. What that extra $70 gets you inside

When I picked up the phone this morning and heard the soothing voice of GameStop's Aeris on the line, I was confused. I hadn't preordered anything in a very long time, and I certainly haven't had any other dealings with the company for a number of months. Then I heard the name Halo 3. Then I heard talk of a $130 price point. Then I knew there would be a press release in my inbox when I got home. I had some time to think about it first though. $130 for a game. Is there anything they can give me with the game—outside of my own MJOLNIR suit—that could justify the price? Probably not. Let's take a look at what they're offering.

The Legendary Edition ($129.99 U.S. ERP*) will be released in limited quantities and arrive in a highly collectible Spartan helmet case that no hardcore "Halo" fan should be without, along with two bonus disks full of supplemental content. The first disk will provide exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage and videos, including a high-definition "Making of 'Halo 3'" documentary showcasing the Bungie team and its effort to create the most anticipated title in the industry’s history; numerous high-definition featurettes documenting the creative design processes involved in developing the game; and even a look at some early game concepts and their evolution through the game’s development. The disk will also include an audio-visual calibration tool, never before seen on a video game and custom designed by the "Halo 3" graphics and audio team to make the most of fans’ high-definition home theaters, for the ultimate "Halo 3" and Xbox 360 audio and video performance.

The second bonus disk, an exclusive to the Legendary Edition, will include completely remastered cinematic material from "Halo: Combat Evolved" and "Halo 2," supplemented with developer commentaries, to provide a refresher course on the thrilling "Halo" story so far, and a featurette documenting a day in the life at Bungie. Exclusive content from the creative minds behind Machinima artists "Red vs. Blue" and "This Spartan Life" will also be included.

Not convinced yet? There will also be storyboards. Storyboards! Get out your wallets! I'm thinking this setup is going to be more about bragging rights than anything you get with it; the thrill of telling your friends you spent $130 on a game will most likely never wear off. There will also be a $70 Collector's Edition with the first extra disc from the Legendary Edition and a metal case. The game alone will run you $60. Of course, that's if you're a person comfortable with the bare minimum. You aren't one of those, are you?

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